We have a really exciting couple of weeks ahead with Bridal Fairs and Catwalks where we will be showcasing our latest collections.  These events will be packed with everything you need to know and want for your big day with expert suppliers on hand to chat to.

If you are attending any of the below, come say hi!

Glenroyal Hotel & Leisure Club, Maynooth Sunday 18th September

Hosted by Loveweddings.ie

 The Longford Arms, Longford Sunday 25th September

Hosted by Belton Wedding Planning

 Bridge House Hotel, Tullamore Sunday 2nd October

Hosted by Bridge House Hotel

Pic Credits:

www.hotel-r.net

www.expedia.ie

www.weddingjournelonline.ie

I'm so excited to launch my first plus size Bridal collection Curves by Rosa Couture. After many request for such a collection I finally made my decision on the designer I wanted to showcase and I have to say Ladies, it really is an exquisite range. My delivery arrived today and my mind was blown just how gorgeous they are, the pictures really do not do them any justice.

I've taken delivery of 3 gowns from the Curves collection, each one a very different silhouette to the others and something to suit all shapes . Sample sizes available are 20 7 24. The Curves collection is available upto a size 30 and The Bridal Lounge is currently Ireland's only stockist.

So to celebrate, I have an introductory offer this Saturday 20th August. 10% off all Rosa Couture gowns that are ordered. Orders made in august will be available for collection by mid December, so Ladies don't hesitate, get your appointments booked today by calling 0866616434.

You've had your big day, worn your beautiful gown and got lots of stunning pictures with your new husband and the pair of you looking amazing and totally loved up. Your dress is now hung back up in your wardrobe, possible a little dirty at the bottom from dancing all night long and your now wondering what to do with it! Chatting with a friend the other day we had talked about the more popular idea's such as using your dress as a Christening/Communion gown, preservation in a box or selling your gown on so it gets another day out. This then sparked my imagination and I wanted to know, is there anything else you can do with your dress? (Keeping it sentimental).

I've trawled through Google and here's a few weird yet wonderful idea's I've found.

Trash the dress

'Trash the dress'  is an American concept and has become increasingly popular. Are you daring enough to have a underwater photo shoot in your dress? Or even turn your dress into art using pain splashing.

Get Creative

Get your creative flare running and design beautiful Momentos for your home. The best ideas I found are a beautiful pillow using the lace and ribbon from your dress, a lace applique Christmas Bauble - very romantic on your first Christmas as a married couple, bunting to be hung over your fireplace or even a beautiful garter for your niece or daughters wedding. That way they can keep with the 'something old' tradition.

 Do you have a flare for fashion?

This is my favourite idea. Glam up your night out wardrobe and be like the Sex And The City girls Get your very own custom made and designed Carrie Bradshaw tulle skirt and finish it off with a intricate lace applique belt.

 Keeping it in the family

Realistically your daughter will want to have her own day wedding dress shopping but you can still pass your dress on but use it sooner rather than later as a skirt for your baby's Moses basket. Being a Mum myself, a Moses basket is the comfiest place for your baby to sleep in the first few months and I just love the skirt and trim  designed for this basket. What a wonderful place for your new bundle of joy to sleep in.

Photo Credits

thegartergirl.com, babble.com, designyoutrust.com

Ladies, I've been absent there for a little while. My apologies. I unexpectedly took ill last week and required a brief stay in hospital but I'm back now ( with a bang) and recovering well.

With that in mind, I'm available to take appointments from next week so please get in touch. My short time away has given me time to think of some fabulous new idea's/ competitions and look at new designs to come in so lots of exciting things happening here.As always, I'm dedicated to help you find your perfect dress and to make your experience here at The Bridal Lounge an unforgettable one.

Many thanks to those of you who have been very patient with me and for your kind words and support.

Here's to an exciting ( wet & windy ) August!!

I've been scrawling through all the latest bridal mags online to give you the quick low down on trends we are due to be seeing in bridal shops over the coming months.

Spanish influence - exotic looking lace embroidery, tiered skirts and capes. Many of the big design houses have been working alongside Spanish designers. Ties in nicely with the Rio Olympics.

Sheer - sheer and illusion detail has been around for some time and still ever increasingly popular with stunning low backs and lace applique necklines. Elegant sleeves are a hit for winter weddings.

Minimal/structured - understated glamour as I like to call it. An acquaintance of mine got married on Friday  and she wore a Audrey Hepburn inspired silhouette with slash neckline and sleeves, no detail but it really oozed 1940's Hollywood glamour.

 The Bridal Lounge caters for all different types of Brides and has an extensive collection of gowns varying in styles. Get in touch abi@thebridallounge.ie or book an appointment online to find your dream dress.

(photo credits: www.Brides.com)

Our latest gowns have just arrived in, no official pics yet but a quick sneaky peak of two of these gorgeous gowns.

These new gowns by Margaret Lee exude sophistication and elegance at competitive prices and are available to order in sizes 6-30 and also available in different lengths. Not only that, its only a 14 week delivery time if your upcoming nuptials are close by. 

The Bridal Lounge is Ireland's only stockist of Margaret Lee.

I highly recommend viewing this exquisite collection of gowns,book an appointment now to avoid disappointment.

So the day has finally arrived to go searching for the dress you have been dreaming of since you were 10 years old. In reality, this is not always the case.

Did you know the majority of Brides end up choosing the total opposite to what they originally go shopping for? Its true!

Keeping an open mind ( on the style in particular ) and trying different silhouettes is a great way of finding out what really does suit your body shape. You want to feel comfortable ( lets be honest, you'll be in this dress for a good few hours )and most importantly beautiful and confident.

Its also a huge help if your entourage on the day can remain open minded and concious of the Brides feelings.

Today is such an exciting day, its your special moment, so most importantly....... HAVE FUN!!

So the day has finally arrived to go searching for your dream dress and tha'ts all you can think about. But what about those extras? Shoes, veil/headpiece, accessories and lets not forget those alterations.

Yes all these extra's can quite quickly mount up therefore setting a budget for how much you wish to spend in total and more specifically for your dress, is a really good idea.

Alterations in particular can easily set you back €200-€300 depending on the work and hours spent by a seamstress perfecting your gown.

And don't give into temptation and try dresses on that are 2, 3 times your budget, as the chances are that's the one you'll fall in love with. And the feeling of blowing your budget is not what you want o be thinking when you've just ordered your dress.

When shopping for your gown, a good strapless bra preferably white or nude ) is a must unless you are planning on going bra-less on your big day. There is nothing more distracting than thick black straps when trying on that slinky lace back dress.

Its always a great idea to wear appropriate knickers when trying on wedding dresses, it will give you an idea of what type of underwear you will actually want to wear under that beautiful dress.

And we know .... it can be nerve wracking stood in front of a stranger in just your smalls but this is what we do, please relax and just enjoy the moment of finding your Wedding dress.

Afternoon Ladies

This post is for both past Brides and Brides to be.

Past Brides... you have now exchanged vows and have a beautiful gown with beautiful memories at the end of it. Are you now wondering what to do with your gown? Would you like to see your beloved gown have another day out? Would you be prepared to sell it yourself at a pre loved Bridal event?

Brides to be .... have you started looking for your gown yet? Not sure where to start, style to suit you, what to budget? Are you open to previously loved gowns in great condition looking for another outing?  Would you be interested in attending a pre loved Bridal event where past Brides are selling on their gowns?

This would be a great opportunity for both sets of Brides. Past Brides get to recoup some of their initial investment and future Brides get their dream dress at a fraction of the original selling price when purchased brand new. If this is something you or a friend would be interested in then please comment below or email abi@thebridallounge.ie

original investments and future Brides get their dream dress at a fraction of the price when purchased brand new.

Ladies, this post is for those of you really looking to keep your costs to a minimum for your big day but still desire a gorgeous gown.

I currently have available some stunning gently used Bridal gowns from ( wait for it ... ) €100. These gowns are cleaned and ready to go condition so perfect if your upcoming nuptials are soon.

Get in touch Ladies to book an appointment at The Bridal Lounge if any of these gowns have caught your eye. Online bookings available.

Hi Ladies

Its Friday and wind down time for many people but I'm just getting ready for a busy weekend full of tulle, taffeta, organza and lace. I'll be helping some beautiful Brides to be find the one.

Speaking of beautiful Brides to be, one of my lovely friends popped into see me the other day, so while she was here we thought it would be a great idea for her to model one of the newest Margaret Lee gowns in stock. And I have been given permission to share it with you lovely people.

Its that new I still don't have any shots for this gown so I'm really excited to be able to share this with you all now.

I'm sure you'll agree her husband to be is a very lucky man and she will make an exquisite Bride.

This beautiful tulle over taffeta fishtail gown has a stunning lace applique bodice, sweetheart neckline and detachable corsage detail and is available in ivory/silver and ivory only.

The Bridal Lounge is currently Ireland's only stockist of the Margaret Lee collection.

Hi Ladies

I have to show you this absolute show stopper of a Wedding Dress. If you want that princess feel then this is your dress!

This Margaret Lee gown is a modern twist on the traditional ballgown. The bodice is delicately hand crafted lace applique with a sweetheart neckline, beautiful thickened silk sash with double corsage detail and a stunning dramatic fine tulle over taffeta ballgown skirt with cathedral train.

It comes in full ivory or ivory and cappuccino and comes in sizes 6-30.

The Bridal Lounge is currently Ireland's only stockist of Margaret Lee.

Good Morning Ladies and Brides to be or I should probably say Good Afternoon which is when you'll more than likely be reading this.

I had a busy few hours yesterday with my future Brides fitting them for 'the one', so this morning I've just been getting The Bridal Lounge ready for my next beautiful Bride. Whilst doing that I thought I would get a few pics to show you what to expect if you decide to choose The Bridal Lounge whilst searching for your dream dress.

Another very short and sweet blog... I hope you like the pics.

Welcome to The Bridal Lounge and my first ever blog. I'm still not 100% sure as to what I should be writing but I will give it a whirl and hopefully you'll stay reading to the end.

My name is Abi and I am the Owner of The Bridal Lounge in Rathowen in the heart of the Westmeath countryside.

I am originally from West Yorkshire in England and moved to Ireland 8 years ago. I have since met my Irish Prince Charming and 18 months ago we brought our own Prince Charming into the World.

My back ground is Customer Service and Management and my big dream was to have my own Bridal Shop. So here I am!

I love dressing Brides .... I love beautiful dresses, and veils, and tears from Mothers too. If you come to visit me at The Bridal Lounge, then I will endeavor to make you feel the same way and ensure you enjoy your special moment choosing your special dress.

Thanks for staying with me to the end of my first blog .... hopefully see you at the next one!